Political

The Birthrights of Citizenship
An Open letter to the people of the 53 District CA

Mason Weaver for Congress CA-53

September 28, 2009

We are part of a unique experience in human communities. The social behavior of early mankind was simple – the strong overcame the weak. It was acceptable and understandable to all. The struggle for personal freedoms was never considered; the struggle was always for the survival of the group. The privileged group may have issues with or disdain for the weaker group but they always expected dominance. Every once in a while the weaker group would rise up and challenge the stronger group. The tides shifted back and forth with one group always assuming the dominant role – this was what people called society.

Human history takes a turn, however, with the American experiment, where society was not based upon the group but the individual. One’s potential was not based upon inheritance or privilege but honor, hard work, and innovation. Ours was a new concept, the individual right of self-governing. It was a system based upon an understanding of the spirit of mankind – freedom! As Americans we are free to come together and determine our leadership, not dictatorship. We are free to determine what is best for our culture. We are free to work and provide for our families as we see the benefits. We are free!

The United States Constitution is based upon the idea that individuals were created. Thus, we are free, not because government says we are but because our Creator has deemed us free. Because we are free, our Constitution recognizes the rights of the individual as opposed to the privilege of the group. Our form of government is designed to accommodate personal freedom and is therefore incapable of taking care of every single need of every one of its citizens. The only way that government could take care if you would be to control you altogether. If you are free, you are by definition uncontrollable; therefore your government must take your freedom from you in order to provide personal safety to you.

Today, people seem to think that very problem facing the American people must have a government solution. However, if the government was created to protect our freedom to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, how then could the government be expected to provide those things when we are lacking? If the government insisted that it provide what you are free to obtain for yourself, wouldn’t that be a problem? So then if the government is the problem, it cannot be the solution. Nowadays every crisis requires more government intervention and less freedom to the governed. If we are indeed a self-governed population then We the People are free to make our own decisions, so only we can solve the majority of our problems. The government was never empowered to make sure that we all liked each other, never offended anyone, or thought the same way about every thing. It is unconstitutional to assume control or influence over our banking, education, health, or wealth. It is counterproductive in a free, self-governing nation to have government regulations controlling every decision citizens make.

Our government was ordained and established by free, self-governing people to secure order and provide general protection while we provide for our families. Our history is that of the people putting pressure on government to change, not the government putting pressure on the people to change. We, the people put pressure on England and it resulted in the Revolutionary War. We, the people put pressure on the South and it resulted in the Civil War. It was the population putting pressure on government in the Woman’s Suffrage Movement, Civil Rights struggles, and the Anti-War Movement that brought about change. It is the American Way; it is the way of self-governed people.

Where is the pressure on the government to perform an overhaul of the healthcare system? Where is the cry from the population of self-governed people demanding our government step in and fix our healthcare? The pressure is coming once again from the people to keep the government out of changing the healthcare system. The President did not campaign on healthcare reform, and there has been no national debate on the issue. This issue was brought to the American people by our government and the government is insisting we accept it regardless of our clear opposition! This is not only unconstitutional; it is a direct threat to freedom as we know it.

With provisions allowing jail time for noncompliance, higher taxes, lower service, and limited access to doctors, the American people are once again required to stand up to its government as only a self-governed people can.

We have said “NO!” We have said it over and over again. We have said it in Tea Parties, town hall meetings, and marches in our hometowns, state capitals, and even Washington D.C. We have said “NO!” over and over again, but our government has responded with a closed, arrogant ear. They have even said publicly that we are like teenage children, a mob, and everything except CITIZENS! It is time to see what kind of government we have and what kind of people are being governed.

If we are self-governed and free, we must say “NO!” one more time. On 11-2-10 we may have our last chance to say “NO!” On 11-2-10 we must declare our freedom once again. We must reestablish the old idea that we are Americans; free and self-governed. Who will stand up for America and tell them we mean NO? Who will tell them they work for us? Who will declare that if we do not want to read 1100 pages, that means NO. If we do not understand the bill, that means NO! If we are afraid or confused, that still means NO! Who will tell them that no matter what name they call us, no matter if we are a mob or not, or even “Astro Turf”, we have said “NO!”, and we mean NO.

President Obama is determined to close the Military prison at Guantanamo Cuba and bring the terrorist to America. He has assured us that no one would be released within America who poses a threat to citizens. It is wonderful to have the assurances of the president of the United States. But will those assurances really keep us safe?

How would the president know if they pose a threat to US Citizens? Will he ask them? By being in the United States they will have the constitutional protection of anyone in the judicial system. So if they present a good case, act a certain way, they could be released after a short period of time.

But that is not even half of the problem. Here is the real problem. We are going to bring harden Islamic radicals to our prisons. Prisons are the breeding ground for radical Islamic recruitment. It has always been the breeding ground for their activities. So we are going to bring the most dangerous radicals to our American prison system to radicalize prisoners to send them back out to the Nation.

Recently four young muslim men were arrested in New York preparing to bomb Jewish worship sites and to shoot down a military plane with a stinger missile. Three of the four converted to Islam while in Jail. Richard Reid (the Shoe Bomber) was radicalized while in prison in the United Kingdom. Jose Padilla who was arrested for planning a “dirty Bomb” became a radical Islamic while in prison. There are concerns of possible connections between prison gangs and potential terrorist already within our jails.

The president does not understand that although, “No one has ever escaped from a Max Prison”, other inmates have been released with instruction and training. Even maximum Prisons have drugs problems, how do they get in? They are sent back and forth by prisoners and employees.

The conversion to radical Islam is not new. Malcolm X became a radical black Muslim while in prison. As a matter of fact, the Black Muslim movement came out of prison with Elijah Muhammad. The arguments about “not in my back yard” is weak. That is not the reason we should confront and contest this move. Bringing Islamic radical teaching and recruitment to our jails and allowing the students to go spread their message here cannot be good for anyone. Why not keep Guantanamo open? It is doing a great job, it keep the prisoners under the military and keeps them from recruiting within America.

All I heard the day after the election was, “It’s historical, it’s historical!” But all I was thinking was. “It’s hysterical, it’s hysterical!” Which one is it; historical because the first black man has become President or hysterical because of the religious fervor created by the symbolism?

What guides my political, social, economical, and spiritual beliefs is my faith. I bring every decision to the cross. Before being an American, my income or my friends comes Christ. Before I submit to the strong symbolism of having an articulate, intelligent charismatic black man leading this nation I will bring that symbolism to the cross. I do not belong to the black race, I belong to the race of Christ!

There is a difference between searching the bible and studying the bible. Some folks search the bible for passages agreeing with their personal views. They look for the bible to agree with them. But to study the bible allows the truths to guide your life no matter where it leads or how others perceive you.

I grew up in the middle of the Civil Rights Movement. I marched, protested and confronted this government for my rights. I have known discrimination and I recognize how far we have come. I have always known how far we have come.

I remember watching television as a very young child when pregnant women could not be shown with large bellies. Since most of the women on television were white, I thought pregnant white women did not show when pregnant. It was symbolism.

As a teenager it was exciting news to see a black couple dancing on American Bandstand. To see black people operating in mainstream America was new and encouraging. But I also remembered having to swim in the creek instead of the community pool and even the cops and teachers called me racial slurs. Those are also strong symbols from the past.

We who actually lived through the Civil Rights Movement are seeing the rights of all disappearing. Eminent domain is gone and your home can be taken for a shopping center. The second amendment guarantees “someone” gun rights “with no infringement” but who? Americans are being stopped on freeways to check their citizenship, and being put before grand juries for indictment without any evidence, as in the Duke Rape case. This new generation seems only interested in the symbolic, feel-good measure of seeing a black President.

So, what are my Christian responses to Obama? How do we address the worldwide emotional excitement over the mere possibilities? I Cor. 3:18 – “Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool (let him reject worldly wisdom and accept Godly wisdom), that he may be wise.”

The world gets really excited about the intelligence and wisdom of leaders. They fell safe with those they consider smarter and wiser. But God does not consider them higher than others.

Matthew 24:24, “…if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” We should recognize that we can be deceived. We humans must admit how we can look upon something and be totally misguided and will buy total disaster because it looks like a great opportunity. We cannot depend upon our wisdom, feelings, hopes, desires or leadership. The government is far too important to leave to politicians.

Since we know we can be deceived, what should we do? I am going to scripture to get some indication of when I should pause and pray.

One thing is clear; the world loves Obama. “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”(John 15:18-19 ESV) From foreign leaders to massive crowds in France and Germany, the world truly loves him. That is enough to give me pause. If the world hates Christ and loves Barrack, should that worry you? It does me.

The economical crisis: is it really a crisis? What caused it? How can we extract ourselves from it? Let us be a little calm, cool, and collective about the multi-billion dollar questions. It seems like every little blip or incident sends the economy into a tail spin. How could a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico cause long lines at the pump all over the South? How can less than 5% of the home mortgages going into foreclosure cause a financial collapse of world markets? They cannot. Not by themselves anyway.

One of the problems is that the world hates America but loves to trade with us. We are the only country that can innovate, develop, and inspire progress. Our economy is over 13.8 trillion dollars, making it the largest in the world by far. America’s economy is larger than those of the next four largest economies (Japan, Germany, China and United Kingdom) combined. Sure, they are growing, but the world is far behind us.

With all of their oil revenue, Saudi Arabia has only the 24th largest economy in the world, and Venezuela comes in 34th, at $228 billion per year. That is still a lot of surplus for these nations, and they certainly do not want to invest it within their own corrupt countries. Mexico receives $20 billion per year from illegals sending cash back to relatives. Yet when they go home to Mexico, they only have poverty to deal with.

Nevertheless, because we are an open society, most foreign nations and individuals can trade with and invest in America. So, wealthy business owners and foreign banks are heavily invested in our economy. We buy their oil, toys, cars, and clothing, and they take our money to buy crops, military hardware, and invest in our markets. It is the latter that is causing so many sleepless nights.

As India and China demanded more oil for their expanding economies and America refused to produced more domestically, investors began to “speculate” that prices would go up with the demand. So they invested heavily in the American market. At the same time, America’s lending institutions and banks, being encouraged by Congress, began to change their lending criteria and sold risky loans to the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac companies who lobbied Congress for more risky loans. The more money they gave to Congress, the more support Congress gave them to make risky loans.

During this time something strange began happening in the western states. Many foreigners using fake ids (often from their own Consulates) began to buy homes with weak, unsupported loans. It was a boom business for all. As the dollar weakened, more overseas investments came into the market, creating more capital for the banks to lend. The explosive mixture was ready – all that was needed was the right spark.

First came the crack down on illegal immigration and the well publicized raids on businesses. Communities began to report the exodus of illegals back to their own countries and a decrease in the local work force. At the same time there emerged a noticeable increase in the foreclosure rate on homes. Those foreigners with fake identification had no reason to stick around; they were abandoning homes. It started in California and moved into Texas.

Gasoline hit around $4 a gallon in the U.S., and there was a revolt from citizens demanding more domestic production of oil. This had an immediate reduction in the price of oil and the speculators panicked. They moved their money out of oil, the price per barrel plummeted, and the foreign investors took their money out of the country. The dollar got stronger and banks started experiencing a “silent run” on bank accounts when large depositors began to take money out. The first cracks in the financial institution began to appear. Those “silent runs” were often foreign investors looking for better places for their money. Then the “panic” took hold and the U.S. Treasury asked Congress to inject 770 billion dollars of cash to be available to banks to lend out. Without the cash infusion banks could not lend and businesses could not pay monthly expenses.

Now that Congress has shown its willingness to support bad ideas and mistakes, State governments are standing in line for bailout money. The floodgates have been opened. The stock market will survive, but only after sanity returns.

In Denver, Colorado on July 2, 2008, a group of about 100 Christian Conservative leaders gathered to discuss the current political atmosphere. I attended this conference and sat on one of its panels to discuss political, social, and economic issues. The next day the press began its coverage and got most of the facts correct.

What was not reported was the heated, honest discussion over the current direction of this country and what to do about it. You cannot get 100 unaffiliated leaders together without conflict, emotions, and venting. Many attendees have large followings and influences worldwide. Some could call on political policy makers to push their own agenda and opinions. What the press did not report on was that after the long hours of speeches, nominations, discussions, and even disagreements, the conclusion was met with camaraderie and support.

I did not meet anyone there whose first choice for President was John McCain, but he was the choice of most who left that room. It was said that the process of Christian political leaders to choose their leaders should have started immediately after the 2000 election. It was clear that Dick Cheney would not be running in 2007, so we should have chosen our nominee and supported him early. We will not make that mistake again.

While no one group or individual championed the meeting, it was obviously called and attended by those who supported Mike Huckabee for President. After all, it was a Christian political meeting. Mike Huckabee was in the hotel the night before, but did not attend this meeting, and I did not see him in the hotel during the meeting. However, I did speak with him the night before, and he seemed relaxed about the idea of supporting the Republican ticket and had genuine, solid ideas on why John McCain was the only sane choice now. I think his presence there, speaking to so many of his followers and supporters, made the choices on the following day much easier. Supporting John McCain was no longer seen as the group turning their backs on their first choice, Mike Huckabee.

However, Mike Huckabee’s appearance at the hotel did raise some questions. Did Mike Huckabee approve the support of John McCain? Did Mike Huckabee ask for our support and pressure for the second position on the ticket? I know when the press learns of the appearance of Mike Huckabee at the hotel the day before this event, there will be speculation about his motives. So let me give you my personal, first hand views.

I suppose if any politician was in the same hotel for another reason but found a hundred of his most loyal and financial supporters, he would stop by and say hello to a few of them. That happened the evening before in a private suite. It was not a reception for Mike Huckabee, but he was certainly the star there. He did not give a speech, nor did he discuss the Vice-Presidential position in the suite. What he did talk about were his values, love for his country, and obedience to God. I stayed until he left and spoke to him several times, and I did not get the impression that he knew about the meeting that would follow the next day. However any reasonable person would assume he knew.

However, at the meeting, one of his supporters did come up with idea of sending a letter to John McCain to request Mike Huckabee be added to the ticket. That motion came at the end of the evening and seemed quiet arbitrary and a spur of the moment addition to the conversation. It was a second thought to a comment, and became a motion.

I know some will wonder if it was an attempt of the “Religious Right” to force Mike Huckabee’s name onto the ticket. It would have been a brilliant move, and I would have supported it; but, I do not think it happened that way. John McCain will get the support of the Christian political leaders, but Mike Huckabee will always have their hearts.

When I was a young boy growing up in Saint Louis Missouri, I was aware of many of the “first” by black people. I remember my adult relatives calling out in excitement of seeing a black person on “American Band Stand” or a game show. I can recall the details of the first black person going to college or getting a high profile job. Every black child growing up in the 1950s remember Congressman Adam Clayton Powell of New York.

Occasionally, I would catch myself daydreaming about being the first black person to achieve something important. And as every black person, I thought what it would be like to see a black man as president. I did not know much about politics as a child but I knew a lot about race. It seemed important to me that a black man achieve this level. It was important for my family and my race. It was important for everyone around me.

We thought a black President would change how black people thought about themselves and how white people thought about us. We thought black President would stop the police brutality housing discrimination and joblessness.

That was childish “symbolism” of the 1950s and I out grew it. In the 1960s I became a teenager and was living in a rural white community. I no longer look forward to seeing the first black do something, I had to become the first black to achieve many of the things I wanted out of life.

Growing up around those white children taught me a lot about white America. Some were nice some were mean, some were smarter than me and some were not. They were not magical, superior creatures, they were just kids like me. I played sports, some were better and some were not. I studied my lessons and I socialized. I learned that the greatest difference between us teenagers were our morals. Some looked at life as an opportunity to take from someone others looked at it as an opportunity to give. As I began to determined my own morals and started to associate with similar people, I found my views of my world begin to change.

It no longer mattered if we had a black President or not. The President did not represent my race. He really would not stop discrimination, I would have to. The white teenagers who had the same morals as I, banded together with others like ourselves and with the like minded adults, changed the world. It was not because we had a good President, it was because we were good people.

I learned that I had to represent me. I had to stop the discrimination. I had to open opportunities for myself and for my family. By not waiting for a leader to lead me, I began to take charge of my own future. Sure I found many people did not like my new style and self confidence, so what? Others wanted me to fail for their own reasons, so what? I had to achieve because it was up to me.

However, many people did not have that mind set. Many never developed that personal confidence in their own future. Some kept and grew the impression that their plight in life was the fault and responsibility of others. These are the people who supports Barrack Hussein Obama today, simply because he would be the first black President. Obama’s polices does not matter to them. He will lift the burdens off their lives, he will make the bullies of life leave them alone. Obama represents the great equalizer. This is the real hope he presents.

White voters and black voters who have been depending upon symbolic representation are idolizing Obama as the great equalizer. It does not matter what comes out about him or what he does, they will only support him more. I understand that mentality and no longer try to challenge it or persuade it. The only hope is for us to show up on election day and out vote them.

It was the Democratic Party that fought to keep slavery legal, supported the South during the Civil War, and supported the formation of the Ku Klux Klan. It was the Democratic Party that passed the Fugitive Slave Act, Black Codes, Missouri Compromise, and the Kansas-Nebraska Act. It was the Democratic Party that implemented the Plantation Management programs disguised as Anti-Poverty programs.

We should all sit at the feet of Hillary Clinton and learn from her how to build and manage non-productive schools, how to force the black man out of the family with welfare programs, how to raise the “poverty tax” on a community with gangs and drugs, and how to increase the illegitimate birth rate among teenagers. Stop criticizing when the expert speaks; remain silent and learn.

There is a lot that Hillary Clinton can teach us about the Plantation. She can teach us how to get 13% of the population to commit 44% of the abortions. Listen to her and learn how to incarcerate 40% of the males under your control. And of course, her political party understands why Midnight Basketball is more important than Midnight Libraries.

The reason Hillary accused others of being like a plantation is because Hillary and the Democratic Party do not like competition. Slave management has always been the domain of the Democrats. They will always be the party to go to for benefits in poverty, never freedom from poverty. The democratic party of Senator Clinton knows that poor, frightened people vote Democratic. She will always support more comfort in your poverty; just make sure not to advocate leaving her plantation.

Just like the days of old, Hillary represents the kind, gentle slave master. She thinks her slaves love her as she takes care of them. She thinks she is a great woman because, on her plantation, slaves have government cheese programs, minimum wages, and low income houses. What her slaves will never have is freedom!

If you want to learn about freedom you will never learn it from Senator Clinton. Senator Hillary Clinton is an expert on slavery, not freedom. It took escaped slaves going North to explain the true horrors of Hillary’s plantation. That journey started the Underground Railroad and it ended with freedom. Today, black conservatives are leaving the mental slavery of Hillary’s plantation and are going to freedom again. Do not forget, on the plantation there was a 100% employment rate. There were minimum wages (as ‘minimum’ as possible). The plantation had universal healthcare to keep the slaves alive just long enough to get the cotton in. The plantation had Master’s housing, food, clothing, and even a plan to take care of the babies made by the slaves. Just like inter city public schools today, the plantation was only interested in teaching slave children to work for Master. It never taught about freedom and how to obtain it.

As a leading member of the slave party, we will never hear her talk about maximum wage or high income housing. We will only hear about managing misery. She is the wise expert, and we should pay attention.

It was the Republican Party that gave us Women’s Suffrage after decades of Democratic foot dragging. If it was not for the Republican takeover of Congress in 1920, women would not have the right to vote. Hillary should thank the Republican Party, because it was them who made her career possible. Hillary thinks black people and women are her pets, and that they need shelter, food and training. Good for you Hillary – teach us more about your plantation.